Bloodied, Roughened-Up Maduro: How AI Fueled Drama Around the US-Backed Kidnapping of Venezuela’s President

In the midst of the US military action in Venezuela, AI-generated images and old videos are being circulated widely, even by political leaders and journalists, shaping public perception. From blood-soaked, handcuffed depictions of Maduro to recycled footage of past events, social media has amplified drama over facts. We explore how misinformation spreads during crises and the critical role of verification in the age of AI.

On 3 January 2026, the United States launched an airstrike on Caracas, reportedly killing at least forty people, including civilians. The operation, Operation Absolute Resolve, captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros and his wife, Cilia Flores, who have since been charged in New York with drug and weapons offenses. Trump stated the operation was coordinated with U.S. law enforcement.

World reactions were sharply divided: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the strike, while leaders including Cuba’s Díaz-Canel, Brazil’s Lula, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea condemned it. EU diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela as a top priority.

The social media sphere is similarly split between pro-American and pro-Venezuelan voices. However, regardless of their stance, many have fallen into the trap of using AI-generated images, altered frames, and old videos.

AI-generated and digitally altered Images

We closely monitored social media activities and found that AI-generated and morphed photos allegedly showing Nicolás Maduro Moros under US custody went viral. Supporting the military action, on January 3, a Facebook user named as KT Nishanth Perumana shared a photo with a Malayalam caption that translates to,.”According to the conspiracy theory of comrades and communist liberals, the attack on Venezuela and the deportation of Maduro were part of an imperial, colonial project aimed at capturing its oil wealth and mineral resources.  Venezuela has vast oil and mineral wealth. However, the job of the ruling politicians there is cocaine smuggling.

The post goes on to explain how people have been starving under the government of Nicolás Maduro and argues that the people of Venezuela would only benefit from a US invasion. However, the photo depicting Nicolás Maduro walking with two military officials, with an aircraft in the backdrop, is an AI-generated image. As of January 5, the post had received 69 likes, 33 comments, and 4 shares. Although the comment section is awash with opinions for and against military action, not a single user pointed out that the image used was AI-generated.

Not only those who support US military action, but also those who oppose it, have fallen into the trap of AI-generated images. Several social media users condemning the military action and the detention of Nicolás Maduro have been found using an image that shows a blood-stained Nicolás Maduro Moros in handcuffs.

IUML leader and Member of Parliament E. T. Mohammed Basheer shared this AI-generated image on January 4, to condemn the US military action. His Facebook page has 134,000 followers, and each post receives thousands of likes and shares. The post condemning the US military action, which used the AI-generated image of Nicolás Maduro, received 317 shares, 1,600 likes, and 63 comments as of 9:40 pm on January 5.

Interestingly, not a single user raised a question about the authenticity of the image. Most of the comments expressed anger against America, while no one seemed concerned about Nicolás Maduro being shown in a blood-soaked shirt.

An X user named ‘Real Defender’ is one among those who made the image of Maduro in a blood-soaked shirt viral. This user shared the image on January 3, with a caption, “Under Trump’s direction, the US Delta Force captured dictator Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela in a highly successful surgical strike. The left is melting down because they hate Trump more than they love America. #madurocaptured.” As of January 5, the post garnered 3,51,400 views, 3,000 likes, and 595 reposts.

A user pointed out, “That’s an AI image. There’s a real one floating around, but that one is nonsense.” Another user remarked, “I think this photo’s fake cause the other photos he has no blood on him, his clothes are clean & he’s wearing a black coat. Also, the soldiers in the other photos are DEA operatives with their faces blurred out. This picture is bs.” Thus suggesting that the photo is fake.

We analysed both images and found that they are AI-generated.

On January 3, Suresh Kumar, former Tamil Nadu Bureau Chief, UNI TV, CVB NEWS (C.VOTER) POLITICAL RESEARCHER (as per X profile bio), shared a photo on X featuring a handcuffed Nicolás Maduro Moros in military attire. The caption reads, “The White House has published the first photo of the captured Maduro.”

We performed a reverse image search and found that the image has been morphed; the original image shows Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch and politician, under Ukrainian detention. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, initially shared the image on April 12, 2022, through his official Telegram account. Despite 318 views, nobody suggested that the image is morphed.

In the midst of AI and digitally manipulated images of President Nicolás Maduro Moros circulating on social media, President Donald Trump shared an image of President Nicolás Maduro Moros following his capture on Truth Social, which is reportedly the sole photo of Nicolás Maduro after his apprehension.

Video shows Venezuelians celebrating in the street?

A Facebook account, rjvictorgeorge, shared a reel on January 3 that purportedly shows people in Venezuela celebrating the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros’s capture in the streets.

The Malayalam caption of the post translates as: “The people of Venezuela are celebrating on the streets after gaining their freedom, but people in Kerala are protesting—why is that?” As of January 5, the post had received 3,000 likes, 1,100 shares, and 477 comments.

One user remarked, “In the past, people in Iraq similarly celebrated after the US invasion, and we know what happened to Iraq later. Looking at the situation of countries after US invasions, we just have to wait and see how long their happiness lasts.” Another user responded, “It is a country that socialism has destroyed and turned into a totalitarian regime. Ending it would be a blessing for its people. The comment goes on arguing that US actions are justified, claiming that American interventions often benefit both the US and local populations, as seen in South Korea and US-aligned Gulf countries, and that criticism stems mainly from ideological opposition rather than actual outcomes. A user indicated that the video is old.

We analysed the keyframes of the video and conducted a reverse image search, which led us to an Instagram post dated July 28, 2024, carrying a clearer version of the video. This timeline coincides with the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro Moros.

The Spanish caption translates to, ”Free Venezuela! 🇻🇪 🙌🏻🇵🇦 This is how the Venezuelan people living in Panama celebrate! 🇵🇦 #venezuela #panama #pty Venezuela: we are with you, God willing, you will be free.”

We also geolocated the video to the Embassy of Venezuela in Panama.

Therefore, the video predates the US military action in Venezuela and does not show people celebrating on the streets of Venezuela.

The analysis consequently showed that AI-generated and digitally modified images, along with outdated and irrelevant footage, are connected to the latest events in Venezuela.